Tonight, the defending champion Triple O's takes on Old Harbor in the first game of their best of three series. Game two of the twin bill pits Teamster's Pub, second place finisher to Bayside, against third place Canavan's Pub.

Last night the playoffs officially opened as Baydside met the Bobby Ford Club and Old Towne tangled with the YIP Club in a best of three series.

Triple O's sealed its second straight pennant using its chief weapon, 'The Rifleman,' to gun down the Rabbits Inn and send the bunnies back home limping rather than hopping. Rabbit's had a heart breaking ending to a fine season, losing out of the playoffs by one point to Old Harbor. The Rabbit's won much respect for their performance this season as was evident by the standing ovation their huge gathering of fans in the centerfield lounge area awarded them after the playoff ousting loss. It was an ovation well deserved.

On the other end of the pole was Old Harbor, who played tough under nail biting situations to definately earn their right at 'The Rifleman' and Triple O's. OHAC fought off a determined effort by Manning's to win 8-7, and watched as Triple O's helped them into the playoffs by kayoing Rabbit's.

Both clubs proved what unity and hustle, combined with talent, can achieve whether making the playoffs or not.

Old Towne Tavern, who beat Triple O's twice, settled for second place with a 12-4 mark while the YIP used veteran leadership to gain the third position.

for Shamrock Pub, the Sam Moran Club, Manning's, and Connelly's, kudoes are warranted for showing up and giving all the contenders the best games they could play.

But for the Baysiders it's 'stand-em-up-and-knock-em-down.' Despite ending the season with a 13 game winning streak, teh Bayside boys had to beat the Teamster's to assure first place. And beat them they did, turning in what is becoming a patented Bayside effort, solid defense and pitching and a mammoth offensive explosion.

second spot went to Teamster's who clinched that position with a 6-2 whipping of Canavan's and a 2-0 shutout of the Ford Club. Canavan's had made the playoffs by squeezing out the Square Cafe, 10-4.

The Square was the odd man out in this division but they had a chance. If they had beaten Canavan's and Teamster's their final two games 'Playoff City' would be theirs. But, Ford rebounded from some untimely efforts to secure the fourth spot with a 7-0 blanking of the 201 Club.

Rounding out the loop were the Broadway Haircutter's, who showed they belonged.

The league will try to sit its mangers down and select an all-star team for a game to be played after the playoffs. Stay tuned here for rosters and date information.